He stressed that immigrants prefer Britain because they can work without documents
INTERVIEW.. French Interior Minister: Britain's "double talk" about the canal crisis is unacceptable
Gerald Darmanen.
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Migrants crossing the canal sparked a crisis between the two countries.
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French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has called on British ministers to stop being duplicitous about the canal crisis.
He said that in private meetings they say things that contradict what they announce to the public.
In an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Darmanin strongly criticized what he called the "double-talk" emanating from London, and said France was not "a vassal" of the United Kingdom.
• How do you see the bilateral relations, currently, with the United Kingdom?
•• Relationships are good when we talk in private.
Every week I communicate with my British counterpart by phone, and when we have personal meetings and exchange messages, we see that the UK has a serious approach, and we have things in common.
And then, as soon as something is said in public, in the House of Commons or on social media and the press, there is a difference in speech, and it becomes very unfriendly.
It is often different, and quite the opposite of what has been said in secret.
• What exactly do politicians want in London?
•• The more France is used as a means of venting about British domestic politics, and we hear provocative statements, such as “France must take back all immigrants,” the more difficult it becomes to find a solution, and this is not only insulting, but completely unrealistic.
• Is working with the British government so difficult?
•• When it comes to the British government in general, it is very difficult to operate quietly.
Relations are good with the ministers, but unfortunately, once there is a camera or they are in Parliament, we seem to hear them say something completely different.
I say again, that France is not a vassal of the United Kingdom, we are free and equal with Britain, and we want to be treated as such, and to be treated as allies, not vassals, and not hostages of British domestic politics.
Was Britain's behavior with immigrants acceptable?
•• I can't imagine that Britain can ignore all international agreements, and maritime law, and deploy warships within 30 kilometers of France, to return the boats.
And what will happen is that dozens of pregnant women, children and the elderly will die.
Nor can we imagine that this could come to the mind of the government in London.
• So you consider what Britain did a provocation?
•• What would the British reaction be if they saw French forces on the English coast?
I think the British understand that their neighbor is a free country, and they want to respect its sovereignty, and we say the same.
There is nothing unusual in that.
• Why do immigrants prefer to go to the UK?
•• It is best for the British to ask themselves why so many immigrants want to go to the UK.
First, because the labor market in their country is powered in part by clandestine immigrants, and because in Britain you can work, even pay taxes, without having any identity documents, or being in a legal situation.
And if there is a change in Britain's labor law, there will be far fewer migrants wanting to cross.
Second, unfortunately, today the British government no longer allows people to access their lands in any legal way as immigrants.
• What about children?
•• We are ready to consider minors going to the UK, in return for reconsidering returning immigrants to Belgium, France, Germany or the Netherlands.
• London directs accusations and criticisms of the French government, is there any negligence on its part?
•• It is an insult to France and the French police who risk their lives every day.
It is terrible to hear things like that from the English side, because we are not only guarding the English border, we are suffering the political consequences of this decision.
its enough!
It has become so insulting, we have to put the slogans aside, and I call on the British to act seriously.
• I think the British realize that their neighbor is a free country and want to respect its sovereignty.
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